Anti-Muslim Graffiti Defaces Shirley Mosque Site

A construction sign at the future Islaamic Center of Mastic-Shirley was defaced with an anti-Muslim slur, drawing condemnation from state and local officials and religious leaders.

The graffiti was discovered at the William Floyd Parkway site, where construction is underway on the new mosque, formally known as Masjid Umar Bin Khattaab. The Suffolk Police Department’s Hate Crimes Unit is investigating the incident.

Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico said disagreement can never justify vandalism or religious intimidation.

“The First Amendment of our Constitution provides for free speech, but also freedom of religion,” Panico told the South Shore Press. “Acts of vandalism should never be tolerated, and religious hate will never be accepted or tolerated. If people have opinions, they should go express those opinions, but vandalizing people’s property is never the way to go. Neither is hate or intimidation.”

County Executive Ed Romaine vowed those responsible would be pursued.

“We are going to pursue the people responsible for this and hold them accountable,” Romaine said at a press conference with Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina and mosque leaders. “Because religious intolerance and hate is not going to be accepted in Suffolk County under any circumstances.”

Gov. Kathy Hochul called the graffiti “a vile, disturbing display of hate,” adding, “Islamophobia has no place in New York — and it never will.”

New York Attorney General Letitia James also weighed in, saying, “The graffiti at the Islamic Center of Mastic’s construction site on Long Island is unacceptable.”

Islaamic Center officials said the vandalism will not deter them.

“We will not allow fear, hate, or intimidation to stop the work we have begun. We are not stopping. We are continuing to build. We are continuing to move forward. And InshaAllah, we will continue to rise.”